Cebuanas celebrate UNIVersality in virtual cultural get-together for 500th Year of Christianity
CEBU, Philippines — Historic. Eventful. Remarkable. These are just three words to describe this year’s UNIV 2021 Asia-Pacific Congress participated in by 150 female university students from the Asia-Pacific region—highlighting the country’s celebration of the 500 Years of Christianity and the devotion to the Sto. Niño.
Annexed to this event, 35 enthusiastic and energetic female students from different colleges and universities in Cebu province, together with over 100 female students from Manila, Bacolod, Laguna, Iloilo, and overseas participants from countries like Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan and Taiwan, all actively took part in the first-ever virtual cultural event.
Held over the Holy Week, the online event was organized by Banilad Study Center, a project of the Kalinangan Youth Foundation Inc. (KALFI), a non-stock, non-profit organization committed to the holistic formation of young women through academic, professional and leadership programs.
It was emceed by Cebuana artist and educator, Mary Rose Villacastin-Maghuyop, with Rev. Fr. Ric Anthony Reyes, the spokesperson of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu, as guest speaker.
Dahl Paalisbo, a Grade 12 student of the Science and Technology Education Center (STEC) in Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan, served as student-emcee.
Dubbed as Pagsubay: A Journey of Faith into the 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines, the historic online cultural get-together brought together a wonderful melding of what the devotion to the Holy Child of Cebu means, not just for the Cebuanos, but for all Filipinos. Pagsubay is a Cebuano word that means to trace.
Fr. Reyes gave a detailed talk on the different traditional practices revolving on the devotion to the Sto. Niño, while emcee Villacastin-Maghuyop gave a creative twist to the online event by demonstrating the basic dance steps of the Sinulog.
The UNIV is a yearly academic congress for university students conducted by the Istituto per la Cooperazione Universitaria (ICU) since 1968. It culminated in Rome Italy with an Easter Seminar where students from over 85 countries gathered to discuss important issues in society.
This year’s theme, “Navigate: Seeking a Solid Education in a Liquid Society,” captured the current state of affairs in the field of education, especially crafted for the ongoing health crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A special feature of the UNIV 2021 online event this year was Glocal Hack, an international cultural activity focusing on team-based learning experiences to create solutions that respond to the challenges related to this year’s theme.
Ann Louise Castañares of the University of the Philippines-Cebu, Kaye Hyacinth Moslares of the University of San Carlos, and Laura Joan Matheu of Cebu Normal University represented Cebu in the international cultural activity.
Starting in 1968, the UNIV gatherings arose as initiatives encouraged by St. Josemaría Escrivá, the founder of Opus Dei, whose feast day in the Church is celebrated every June 26. Since its inception, the UNIV has mobilized tens of thousands of students and university professors who have participated in this international meeting to come up with viable solutions to current societal problems.
UNIV is a chance for the participants to expand their horizons, to be close to the heart of the Church, and to listen to and grow in affection for the Holy Father (Univ.ph). It is a fitting event to be part of in view of the 500 Years of Christianity celebration in our country.
About the author: Michelle C. Salon is a BA Organizational Communication alumna from UP Manila.
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